8 July 2019

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

Mid Sussex District Council has awarded grant funding of over £12,000 to help local micro businesses grow and expand.

The Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Grants Panel met on 18 June to discuss the first round of grant funding this year and the funding allocations to eight local businesses were confirmed on 27 June.

Micro business grant applications only opened in May this year and already 35 businesses in Mid Sussex have applied for funding. The micro business grants are allocated on a first come, first served basis and local businesses are encouraged to apply now to avoid disappointment.

Strawberry Moon Skincare in Burgess Hill has been granted £1,748.25 to help expand their product line and purchase new equipment. The business produces handmade skincare products, which are environmentally friendly and are packaged with zero plastic waste. There is growing interest from retailers looking to stock Strawberry Moon products and this grant will help them to speed up the production process and meet increasing demand.

Active 1^st, a Turners Hill based business which provides a variety of after school clubs and gymnastic classes, has been awarded £3,500 to upgrade its facilities and take on an apprentice. Plans include the installation of new purpose fit flooring to improve safety and the purchase of new British Gymnastic Standard equipment. The improvements will help Active 1^st increase the opening times of the gym and enable new health and fitness classes to be established.

Gary Nation, Company Director at Active 1^st said:

“Active 1st are delighted to have received a grant from Mid Sussex District Council. It will make such a difference by enabling us to have a safe and state of the art facility which will enable us to attract and coach lots of budding gymnastic stars of the future. The grant will be spent on new gymnastic equipment and a much need renovation of the business space.”

The funding has been provided by West Sussex County Council, reinvesting Business Rates back into the local business community. Grants of up to £2,000 remain available to support the growth of any Mid Sussex business with fewer than 10 employees and an idea for a project that will help their business grow. Up to £1,500 is also available to help micro businesses take on an apprentice and businesses may apply for both kinds of grant at the same time if they wish.

For more information about micro business grants visit www.midsussex.gov.uk/businessgrants.